Heineken can face Dutch lawsuit over Greek dominance abuse, EU court rules

Luxembourg | Heineken can be sued in its home country over damages allegedly suffered by a rival in Greece, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled on 13 February. The EU’s highest court confirmed that a Dutch court can deal with the claims brought by Macedonian Thrace Brewery (MTB) against both Athenian Brewery and its parent Heineken, arising from market power abuses in Greece between 1998 and 2014.

Athenian Brewery hits almost EUR 500 million in sales in 2024

Greece | Athenian Brewery, whose market dominance abuses from more than 20 years ago could now lead to a hefty fine for its parent Heineken, has reaffirmed yet again that it is among the Heineken Group’s “golden” subsidiaries. Sales rose to nearly EUR 500 million in 2024, the Greek media outlet Protothema reported on 13 February.

Heineken delivers positive outlook for 2025

The Netherlands | With all the turbulences in the past few years, Heineken’s investors were elated that the Dutch brewer expects more growth for this year and said it would launch a EUR 1.5 billion share buyback. This was despite Heineken reporting weaker profit and revenue in fiscal 2024.

AB-InBev sold less beer in 2024 as China weakness persists

Belgium | AB-InBev sold less beer than analysts expected in the fourth quarter 2024, dragged down by lingering weakness in China. Volume sales in China fell 19 percent in the fourth quarter, marking the third consecutive quarter of double-digit declines there. The brewer said on 26 February that its Chinese business underperformed in a soft beer market, as budget-conscious consumers spent less money in bars and restaurants.

Keystone buys ailing beer brands Magic Rock, Fourpure, and North

United Kingdom | Keystone Brewing Group has gone shopping again. In late January it acquired an “exclusive license” from In Good Company Brewing to produce craft beer brands Magic Rock and Fourpure, which were in financial trouble. A few days later, on 6 February, it added Yorkshire’s iconic North Brewing Co. brands from Leeds, as part of its ambition to establish a GBP 100 million (USD 126 million) portfolio. Although it was not explicitly stated, all brands will likely be produced at Keystone’s brewery in Yorkshire.

Jennings Brewery to be reopened

United Kingdom | Wonders never cease. The historic Jennings Brewery, which operated for nearly 200 years before its closure, will start producing beer again this summer under new owners, UK media reported on 5 February. Founded in 1828, the brewery was closed in November 2022 by then-owner Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company, which blamed economic pressures.

Swinkels closes De Molen brewery in Holland

Netherlands | Bavaria parent company Royal Swinkels wants to close the legacy brewery De Molen in Bodegraven, a craft beer pioneer in the Netherlands. Financial results of the south Holland brewer, which was once famous for its windmill logo and experimental beers, have been under pressure for some time. Swinkels thinks this is due to a declining demand for beer. In 2024, beer sales dropped 3.4 percent over 2023 to 11.2 million hl, the Dutch Brewers Association reported on 11 February.

Austria | The first day of hearings in the “Causa Brau Union” was held on 11 February at the Vienna Cartel Court. The Federal Competition Authority had applied to the court for the imposition of an “appropriate fine” over Brau Union’s alleged abuse of market dominance. Heineken’s Austrian subsidiary denies the allegations.

Carlsberg receives around USD 320 million in deal to sell Baltika

Denmark | Carlsberg Group received DKK 2.3 billion (USD 320 million) in a cash consideration for the sale of its Russian brewery Baltika, the Danish company revealed on 6 February in its 2024 financial report.

Austrian brewers more than double deposit on beer bottles

Austria | The brewing industry has increased the deposit on returnable and refillable beer bottles for the first time in 40 years. On 1 February, the deposit was hiked to EUR 0.20 (USD 0.21) per bottle, from EUR 0.09 previously. The higher deposit already applied to 330 ml bottles. It is now extended to half-litre bottles.